Securities Litigation And Safeguarding Your Business

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Securities are crucial to any business, as they refer to various financial instruments set in place by corporations which are made for sale to the public. The litigation of securities stands for lawsuits that may arise due to fraud and are filed by investors against the issuer of such security.

In the U.S., most cases involving securities litigation are filed based on the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the anti-fraud provisions of the 1934 Securities Exchange Act. Securities litigation is a highly specialized facet of legal practice since securities laws are complicated and often involve very sensitive matters and present legitimate threats of exposure that can severely damage an individual or corporation’s image.

Lawyers tasked with securities litigation cases typically interview people in possession of documents that are requested for by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). They then set up an appointment with the client to prepare their testimony before either the Department of Justice or the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Securities litigation lawyers then thoroughly review the client’s documents and prepare a privilege log while continually coordinating with the SEC. They would then draft any brief that supports a motion to dismiss any securities fraud complaint against the client.

Working within the canopy federal securities laws mentioned above, the lawyer will then plan the strategy with a joint defense group and prepare an oral argument for a motion to assert claims. They then provide a deposition outline for any witness in the securities fraud case.

Joe Tacopina is the founder and the Managing Partner of the Manhattan-based Law Offices of Tacopina & Seigel. He specializes in civil, criminal, and securities litigation. Visit this website for more on Joe’s firm.

Why it’s advisable to hire a criminal lawyer for a misdemeanor

A lot of people think that a misdemeanor charge is not worth getting a criminal lawyer for. Many are under the impression that it’s not serious enough nor worth the effort, so they just acquire the services of a public defender or opt to just represent themselves.

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Firstly, keep in mind than a misdemeanor charge is not just an infraction, like getting a driving ticket or jaywalking. Any misdemeanor charge comes with the possibility of a one-year prison sentence. It is also distinct from a felony charge, which can get one serving more than one year of jail time.

Never take a misdemeanor charge for granted nor decide to just wing it by determining on self-representation, even if this is possible in certain jurisdictions. It’s still more advisable to get a seasoned criminal lawyer to represent you if you are keen on not serving time. Keep in mind the saying, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”

More importantly, remember that though many jurisdictions can remove your arrest record at the end of the criminal process, they won’t erase your record of conviction. A permanent criminal record can have great ramifications for the rest of your life, from an adverse social image to getting a job or studying in major universities.

Avoid the humiliation, embarrassment, and overall negative impact a criminal record may create by getting an experienced criminal attorney. A criminal lawyer thoroughly understands the law, its players, and the practices and procedures involved.

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Joe Tacopina is the founder and Managing Partner of Tacopina & Seigel. He is a member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers, the Federal Bar Council, and the Judicial Committee for the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. For more insights on criminal law, visit this page.

What Constitutes a White-Collar Crime?

In a nutshell, white-collar crimes can be classified as a non-violent offense that can be done to extort money from a group of people or from an institution. Embezzlement, money laundering, corporate fraud, and securities fraud are some of the known types of these crimes.

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For the unfamiliar, a white-collar crime is conducted with the intention of illegal financial gain. Those who commit this offense have a goal of extorting money from unknowing individuals. Sometimes a seemingly simple extortion or embezzlement scheme turns into a large-scale fraud that goes deep into the company’s operations, with a portion of profits and funds being directed to a number of people. In the process, those who come up with the scheme resorts to exploiting the resources or reputation of the company for illicit gain. In many cases, the internal networks and technologies of the company have been used even without authorization.

Despite being non-violent, these crimes affect up to thousands of people especially when conducted in large-scale companies. Scams conducted by one person or a small group of people can taint a company’s good standing and ruin the hard work given by its employees. With the promise of more financial gain, those who conduct this kind of crime can force individuals to invest their savings only to be left penniless and traumatized.

Usually unnoticed, uncovering these crimes might require covert operations especially for renowned companies. The FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory agencies are monitoring businesses to ensure the prevention of these fraudulent crimes in the U.S.

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Joe Tacopina, together with his partner and a team of legal experts from Tacopina & Seigel, offers a full range of legal services. For his extensive litigation experience, he often appears in various media outlets to share his insights about legal matters. Visit this page for more information on Mr. Tacopina.

Vetting The Defense Attorney

No one is entirely exempt from facing a legal battle at some point in his or her life. And while the idea of having to hire a defense attorney for, say, a seemingly irreconcilable dispute is a painful inconvenience, we nevertheless should be ready and know what to expect, if only to relieve ourselves of the stress, manage the hit on our reputation, and ensure that we are served justice.

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Yes, we essentially put our lives in the hands of a criminal lawyer when we hire one; it’s crucial then that we do not settle. Know first that the good defense attorney will offer free or low-cost consultation to be able to represent the client effectively. Don’t feel obligated to hire the first one you speak to. If the problem is a pressing one, immediately schedule meetings with more than one lawyer or law firm to find out the best fit for your situation.

Aside from the consultation, the good law firm will have high-profile attorneys backed by references, testimonials, and an overall great reputation. Spend time researching on the attorney’s past performance and look into his or her past (and won) cases. Just because you see a lawyer in commercials or ads doesn’t mean he or she is credible. Base your decision on how knowledgeable and ethical the lawyer is.

It goes without saying that you should opt for a criminal lawyer who has the most experience in handling a case similar to yours. This may be even more important than his or her reputation. Get an attorney that specializes in your case and ask them for the best strategy moving forward.

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Joe Tacopina the founder and Managing Partner of Tacopina & Seigel, specializes in criminal, civil, and securities litigation. Mr. Tacopina has tried more than 80 cases by the age of 42, earning him praises from the media as the hottest young criminal defense lawyer in New York. For similar reads, visit this blog.